yungatita - 'Armchair'

 SYNTH POP ROCK

You must listen to this one live. 

But let's first talk about the recording. It's wonderful and ambient. You can really hear the layers happening in the production. My god, the synths are beautiful. The introduction truly warms you up to the flurry of dynamics the chorus brings.

Okay. Let's talk about hearing this live. I first heard this song a couple of months ago at The Midnight Hour and adored the vocal performance from lead singer Valentina. It's a fierce delivery of lyrics that cry intense conviction behind every syllable. 

And all of this is amplified by the rest of the band's energy. Everyone was bopping on stage and so were members of the audience. 

yungatita shows continue to get more energetic each time I see them. Bands, take note and start learning how to string your songs together. (also see Beyonce's Homecoming) 

Check out some of Valentina's art here: https://www.instagram.com/tweakersynapse/

From Armchair single. 2022.

DPR IAN - | Moodswings In To Order |

R&B POP

MITO has returned as MIITO. DPR IAN once again takes us on a dark trip. Into a thunderstorm. Guided by multiple voices. And again, DPR delivers stunning, cinematic video. 

As previously mentioned, MITO is a second persona living in Christian Yu. MITO speaks in these tracks along with some new additional voices. The voice changing and voice layering simulates conversations with the self. They sound like multiple thoughts occurring at once. 

I have to add that the creative reverb mixing in this album is superb. It can be heard across different instruments but it sounds best and most creative in the vocals. 

This creative choice in vocal mixing beautifully expresses a swarming confusion. The lyrics yearn for love and clarity. Questions demand answers in tracks like "1 Shot," "Avalon," and "Ribbon." 

Are we descending into nothing

Or is it just another reason

For us to be awake?

Beautiful orchestral swells and hits further warm the smoothness of the strings and other instruments. Format-wise, the album breaks some common ABAB structures. Refreshingly.

These songs are speckled with modified 707s that are reminiscent to 80s drum styles. (Was he using a Roland drum machine?) The subtle retro sound from the drums is perhaps further reinforced by the choice of keys.

The thunderstorm motif that is also from the first album is omnipresent in this album. I've lately been into ASMR, so I appreciate the use of sound effects. But also, this album is like an abstract painting in that you can reveal different meanings if you tilt your head a bit or focus on a certain section of the painting. 

I recommend listening to this album across different moods to find those different meanings. My favorite tracks are "Mood," "Winterfall," "Calico," and "Mr. Insanity."

Moodswings In To Order. by Dream Perfect Regime (DPR). 2022.

DPR IAN - | Moodswings in This Order |

R&B POP

Two sides of ourselves. MITO is the second, more shadowy side of artist DPR IAN. This album expresses a beautiful balance of light and dark within Christian Yu. 

The lyrics are sincere and the R&B rhythms are simple. But they both blend to manifest the complex emotions we cannot describe. 

"So Beautiful" is one of my favorite tracks. The whistling echoes a sense of loneliness. The clever use of rain and lighting of matches helps create an illusion of the environment. 

"Scaredy Cat" is also another favorite. Again, it's simple but effective in expressing complex dark emotions. I personally like to play this song. 

The incredible visuals in the music videos pair the moods being expressed in the music. 

I had this album on repeat last year. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel album releasing soon. 

Moodswings in This Order. by Dream Perfect Regime (DPR). 2021.

pinocchioP, Miku Hatsune - 'ありふれたせかいせいふく (Arifureta Sekai Seifuku)'

ELECTRONIC POP VOCALOID

Remove a bandaid, become a god. This is one of my favorite music videos. The animation and colors match the vibrancy of the song. This is the first track from pinocchioP's Obscure Questions. And it's a great start to the rest of the album. 

There's always something in the background of the song that keeps it interesting. There are some ear pleasing sound effects that are bangles and rings of music. 

The advantage of using vocaloid is that you have freedom with manipulating the vocals. Hatsune Miku sings pretty rapidly so it's unnaturally enunciated. 

I think some of the keys were also noise gated early to match that enunciation and speed of singing. 

The dynamics of adding and removing major instruments also helps maintain the song's engagement. The bridge is one of my favorites in that it helps slow down the pace. I personally like processed vocals like these in bridges. (Another favorite is Anamanaguchi's 'Prom Night'.)

I'll be posting more vocaloid favorites now that I'm obsessing over Project Diva again. 

from Obscure Questions. by EXIT TUNES. 2012.

Velvet King - 'Nah'

 ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Who doesn't love to sing along to "nah-nah-nah"'s? I think my favorite part of this song are the weird phaser sounds that add a layer of tension and movement. 

I'm gonna take a moment to compliment the BADASS drums. They sound sooo good and recorded very well. I personally love the snare. It's tight and snappy. 

The vocal style is also energetic but with a slacker tone - which I personally love. The reverb is tasteful, but I would have liked to hear them a bit more up front.

Okay. Guitars. They have awesome fuzzy tones. I think the solo and rhythm parts are straightforward which pair nicely with the killer bass line. The song has a defined lower register that makes it sound dark.

Overall the song is a fun sing along. And clearly the band members had fun after hearing that little snippet at the end of the song. 

Single. 2020.

THE MONSIEURS - 'At The Hop'

GARAGE PUNK ROCK

This d҉i҉s҉t҉o҉r҉t҉i҉o҉n҉   gives me energy. The music style translates well with it. 😌 

It's a fun track to hop around to. 

"Burning Flame" is another bop.

Heck yeah.

from THE MONSIEURS "Deux" LP. 2017.

Official HIGE DANdism - 'SWEET TWEET'

POP ROCK

Nicknamed "Higedan" which translates to "bearded man" this band has a fun obsession with mustaches. The band members where cute mustache bow ties. 

This 2015 song hooked me because of Satoshi Fushiwara's vocals. They are bright and energetic. 

The track includes thick and heavy piano chords. But it's balanced with the light melodies and solo tones from Daisuke Kosasa's guitars.

Masaki Matsuura's drums are solid. His kick and snare tones actually sounds perfect for this style. I particularly like the auxiliary percussion of triangle in the chorus. It reminds me of Two Door Cinema's implementation of their triangle to add energy.  

After checking out some live performances, I noticed and admire bassist Makoto Narasaki's dance moves. Clearly his enthusiasm is translated onto the track adding funky tones to this dance-able song. 

2019 Higedan is also "amazing". I'll later talk about their wonderfully produced album Traveler. Then you'll get the pun. (Hint: track 3)

From  ラブとピースは君の中. LASTRUM Music Entertainment Inc. 2015.

From Love To Peace Are In You.  Official髭男dism. 

Coaster - 'Paralyzed'

GRUNGE ALT ROCK

Oh, the angst in those vocals! You can hear the emotion push through Matt Kissinger's strained vocals. 

"When you cry 

Don't set aside 

What is life 

Lonely nights 

Paralyzed 

Shaken"

I'm a huge fan of these guitar tones. The bass pops out nicely. And the drums add more energy behind those guitar hits. Or vice versa.

The point! Right... The guitar tones are heavy with distortion in a Jaguar sounding way. Not so much heavy metal distortion.

"Red Charlie" has a pretty awesome beginning that stumbles into the song.

from Slow Jams. by Community Records. 2016.

kutsushita - 'Mushroom Dream'

POP ROCK

It's Japanese for socks. You don't need synths to sound this pop-y. The album is playful, sweet, and full of intention.

The lo-fi quality gives the song a laid back vibe. Combined with the deliberate and sweet vocals, kutsushita sounds like a band that just wants to jam out and say a couple of things on stage.

Turns out they made a music video involving races in a pink world.

Twitter

from きのうみたゆめ (Mushroom Dream). by DIW by diskunion. 2016.

Hot Snakes - 'Six Wave Hold-Down'

ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Drive me. The song title and album art supports the surfing imagery felt by the guitars and non-stop music drive.

But this isn't surf rock. It's darker. The toms are full and rhythmic. The vocalist's strained yells remind me of Dave Grohl's raspy energy. 

I have this song on a running playlist because of it's constant energy. There is some space in the pre-chorus that leaves room to breathe. 

from Jericho Sirens. By Sub Pop Records. 2018.

Superorganism - 'Something For Your M.I.N.D'

ART POP

Ear candy. You'll be pleasantly surprised with every playful sound sample. It's interesting how the sound samples paint a picture and also help color certain instruments. 

The vocals are charmfully monotoned.

Listen with headphones to catch every sonic element. Which sound effect is your favorite?

from Superorganism By Hostess by Domino Records. 2016.

Sad Park - | SLEEP |

GARAGE ROCK

Here's more proof that jarring yells can be charming. SLEEP is recorded to help flaunt the highlights from Sad Park's live shows. 

The vocalist Graham Steele roars sincere emotion powerful enough to melt into your skin. The introductory energetic track "IN MY HEAD" encapsulates the band's tone. But don't be fooled by the excessive amp noise. This album is layered with much more than that.

The album dynamics contrast with the second track "TRAGICALLY YOUNG", slower song with beautiful sincere lyrics about mortality.

"When my life has reached it's end 

I'll be helping all my friends 

to love me just the same"

The drummer Grant Bubar keeps the album interesting by implementing other drum styles like in the Bossa-Nova-influenced track "GOODNIGHT". The guitars also follow these style changes.

There are plenty of vocal lines to sing along to like:

"I just want to feel like I did 

back before I had a reason to pretend I didn't want to stay all fucking night"

Or

"You get so dumb when you're in love"

My favorite track? "ALONE". I'm a sucker for these drums and lyrics. I wish this were mastered loud enough to blast even louder.

2018. 

Bad Abstract - 'New Way Out'

INDIE ROCK

Upbeat strokes on those indie guitar tones I LOVE. There's an overall summery and calming vibe that you can sing along to in the harmonies.

Their 2017 music sounds great live. Even though the recordings for Under My Skin could be more consistent and blended, their arrangements and performances are fun. The vocalist James Andrew Ibarra in the song "No Control" kinda sounds like Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Hey I've got this bump on my head /

You hit me harder than life ever did /

I need a new way out instead 

2016.

FIDLAR - 'Alcohol'

ALTERNATIVE PUNK ROCK

Need a theme song for your lit weekends? The gritty vocals and messy guitar tones perfectly shape the rebellious and candid demeanor of not only the song but of the band. 

First off, the introduction to the chorus's dynamics electrified my expectations about the song and album. While the song is driven by the fuzzy tones, it takes an airy, half-time break after the guitar solo.

I love FIDLAR''s 2015 album Too. This song presents new fun percussion instruments - like the wooden scraper panned to the left during the chorus - that I hope their new album will continue to use. 

Mom + Pop. 2018.

The Ladyfingers - | GET NERVOUS! |

GARAGE ROCK

"No, you can't relate". Yet relatable, The Ladyfingers! If you need to confess your love or  if you feel alone, this EP overflows with youth's energy expressed in distorted guitars and snappy drums that can help.

There are elements in each track that sound like pop punk elements - like the vocal style in "Beach Cloth" or the guitar tones in "Bedroom Floor". 

While listening to "Bedroom Floor", I noticed that if the vocals cut through the mix a bit more and if the mastered tracks were more compressed, I'd say it'd come sonically close to Blink-182s "All The Small Things". The drums and bass as a rhythm section are mixed very well, by the way.

There are sweet bells in tracks that provide a contrast to the distorted guitars and fierce vocals. I have to admit that using fun percussion like bells helps this garage rock band stand out amongst other garage rock bands. 

The vocals in "Get Nervous" release furious sincerities that most people tip-toe around. 

"And I get nervous when I'm standing next to you

Don't know what the fuck to say or what to do 

I get paranoid just trying to make a move

I get nervous when I'm standing next to you"

Really, the whole EP revolves around the confessions we all think in our head when we are crushing hard on a special someone.

2018.

Madison Avenue - 'Don't Call Me Baby'

Y2K DANCE HOUSE

Self worth! A great dance track for those in need of a reminder that we all deserve respect. And dance music from the 2000s.

Arturo Marquez - 'Danzon No. 2'

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL

La drama! The song contains playful and passionate motifs which translate the "danzón" genre, characterized by plenty of tresillos, successfully.

The claves make this piece!

Heard this song on KUSC and Googled it to find, of course, a performance conducted by Gustavo Dudamel - one of Los Angeles's greatest musical icons. I also found a performance from one of my favorite conductors Alondra de la Parra, but that is for another time.

Turns out the composer Arturo Marquez worked on this short film which is why I thought it would be a good share.

The Black Beacon Sound - | She Smokes |

INDIE POP ROCK

Groovy bass lines and appreciative guitar tones. The (THE) Black Beacon Sound brings the elements of their early house parties from East LA to the stage nurtured by their late teens and early 20's playful spirits. Supported to the core by their friends, family and garages, the band has developed a vibrant sound crafted by their strong musical backgrounds and taste in pedals.

The EP erupts with "Won't Last Long", a track dynamically structured to make you dance. The volcanic EP then oozes with dreamy violins in "Into Gloom". The ashes fall strong in "Care For You", a sweet track dedicated to the guitarist's sister.

If you have a chance to catch them at a show, you might even see the bassist rap a Kanye West or Kendrick Lamar cover. 

Remember to clap along!

She Smokes. Audio Mech Productions. 2017

Bloom - | Ringworm EP |

GARAGE PUNK ROCK

"Ringworm" introduces the brazen vibe for this EP by Bloom (bloom.oc). The added guitar distortion and grunge mood pulls a punk-grunge-Arctic-Monkeys through its guitar and bass combination of tones. "Ringworm" strategically adds character with on and off lo-fi vocals and provides a great contrast to the highlighted and much anticipated gritty vocals in the chorus. 

On a separate note, "Joynoise" reminds me of "Merry Christmas". Garage punk Christmas party? Yes, please.

#SoundsLikeFIDLAR

2017.

Chook Race - | Around The House |

GARAGE POP ROCK

Melancholic state! This album is peppy with opposing melancholic lyrics. The female vocals add happy tones. The ad libs encourage sing-alongs. Go ahead. Sing-along. 

 I recommend "At Your Door" and "Lost the Ghost".

from Around the House. by Tenth Court and Trouble In Mind Records. 2016.